Filler package



May 1935- J. L. coYU 2,001,816

FILLER PACKAGE Filed Nov. 20, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 numnm a 10 hi; f M v -2 y 1935- J. L. COYLE FILLER PACKAGE Filed Nov. 20, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 21, 1935 OFFICE FILLER- PACKAGE Joseph L. Coyle, London, Ontario, Canada, assignor to Leon Benoit, New York, N. Y.

Application November 20, 19:3, Serial No. 698,910

4(7lalms.

Thisinvention relates to a filler package for the reception of small articles such as fruits, vegetables, eg s, bulbs, and like commodities. More particularly the present improvements are directed towards simplicity and low cost 01. production, together with adequate protection for articles to be received within a cellular container. Certain exemplifications of my invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings in the manner following:

- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the filler package with the covers opened to exhibit the interior construction;

Fig. 2 shows the blank. from which may be formed a wrapper or enclosme for the package;

Fig. 3 shows the blank from which may be formed a six-cell filler for the package;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section through the filler package showing the covers in closed position;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a divisible package comprising two filler units and an openended wrapper, the package being severed to the extent of permitting the covers to open up;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing two similar filler units contained within a divisible carton having end walls;

Fig. 7 is a. perspective view of one filler unit contained within one half of the carton shown in Fig.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a six-cell filler made from a blank strip, as shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 9 is a similar view of a one-piece ten-cell filler of slightly modified construction.

The term package as used herein comprises both a filler F and enclosure E therefor, of which various constructions may be used. The enclo-, sure may be produced from a rectangular blank A which is scored or otherwise treated to provide certain lines of bend a, b, c, and a, b, c which define between them a bottom ll, side walls I2, a pair of half covers I3, and flaps M with slightly tapered ends depending from the free edges of the latter, all as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The blank may also be slittd in-its side walls to provide one or more tongues I0 desirably pointed upwardlyaway from the package bottom.

A filler F which is adapted to be received within an enclosure of the kind described may be conveniently constructed from a single blank B in the form of an elongated strip transversely scored or otherwise treated to provide certain lines or bend d, e, f, 9, h and d, e, f, g and 71.. As shown, these bend lines are arranged in groups, one nearcach end oi the strip, providing between them and the ends of the strip certain sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20, the latter being common to both groups. In addition, the strip is provided with certain transverse slots 2|, one near each end thereof, and other slots 22, one in each section II, all these slots proceeding inwardly from the same edge of the strip. Two other slots 23 in the section 20, and another set 0! slots 24 in line with the bend lines It and h, are also provided, all of the four slots last named proceeding inwardly from an edge of the strip which is opposite to that wherein the several slots 2i and 22 are formed. Finally, I provide in the two sections Ii adjacent the bend lines e and e arched slits 25,- and in the, two

sections ll adjacent the bend lines I and j? arched slits 20, defining in each instance a flap which may yield, as required, to accommodate an inserted tongue or other locking element. Desirably, the entrance to each of the slots so formed is flared to facilitate movement thereinto of parts which are to be interlocked therewith.

To produce a filler, such, iorexample, as is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8, the strip is bent along the several scored lines, the middle section 20 forming a central longitudinal partition which constitutes, in eflect, a framework on which are supported a plurality of transverse partitions which are interlocked with the central partition. As shown, the end section I! forms a halt transverse partition at one end of the tiller, the section IS an outer cell wall, the section I! a full transverse partition which extends to the opposite side of the central partition, the section l8 a second outer cell wall, and the section I8 a second halt partition which complements the other half partition ii. In this relationship of the parts, the slot 2| adjacent the end of the strip is interlocked with the slot 24 at the bend it which defines one end of the central partition, and the slot 22 in the cross partition becomes interlocked with the proximate slot 23.. This arrangement of walls and partitions at one endof the filler may be duplicated at its opposite end, in which case the remaining sections or the strip are bent around and interlocked the same as already described to provide a cellular structure as illustrated in Figure l. The tiller thus produced is selfsustaining, in that its several walls are connected together to remain in erected condition. The cross partitions tend to occupy positions transversely of the central partition, but may, when required to do so, swing around to lie against the central partition in a condition of collapse. When erected ready for use, the filler may provide six cells. the (idle two of winch are closed on was 5 sides, the remaining four cells being closed on all four sides.

In Fig. 9 I have suggested a modified construction in which a blank strip B of suflicient length may be used for producing a one-piece filler having cells in excess of six. As shown in this figure, I utilize a central longitudinal partition 50 at one end of which (the left end as viewed in the drawings) the arrangement of cross partitions and walls is the same as already described in connection with Figs. 1 and 8. Commencing at the opposite end of the central partition, the blank strip executes a number of bends to provide, in order, a half transverse partition 5|, an outer cell wall 52 (extending the length of three cells), a full transverse partition 53, an outer cell wall 54 on the side of the filler opposite the cell wall 52, a second full transverse partition 55, a further outer cell wall 56 which lies to the inside of the cell wall 52, another full transverse partition 51, a last outer cell wall 58 opposite the cell wall 52, and finally a half transverse partition 59 which complements the other half partition 5|. The two ends of such a filler and the intersecting parts thereof are interlocked the same as in the filler of Figs. 1 and 8, and the cells provided in this construction, ten in number, are in part three-sided and in part four-sided.

In use, the filler will ordinarily be set into an enclosure E of some kind. This may be a wrapper, a tube, a carton, or other appropriate container. In the form shown in Fig; 1, this container is a wrapper made from the blank such as shown in Fig. 2. when the filler is placed within such a wrapper, the side walls l2 of the latter provide outer sides for the midde three-sided cells. The covers may then be closed down over the filler and the flaps ll inserted within the slots 23 alongside the central partition on one or both sides thereof. r

When the filler is placed within the wrapper the tongues l extending from the side walls of the wrapper are inserted through the arched slits 25 and 26 so as to lie within the filler, as indicated in Fig. 1. When so positioned the filler is locked in place, and is prevented from moving It will be noted endwise within its enclosure. that the position of these tongues and slots is adjacent two full transverse cross partitions, so that the tongues may have bearing against the latter, thereby relieving the arched, slots from strains which would otherwise be imposed in service.

The filler enclosure combination hereinbefore described may be variously modified, certain suggestive constructions being illustrated in Figs. to 7 inclusive. These constructions will now be considered in detail.

In Fig. 5 I have shown two filler units, each identical with the single filler illustrated in Fig. 1, arranged end to end within a common wrap! per which is about twice the length of that shown in Fig. 1 but otherwise identical therewith. Each illler unit is separately locked in place, as by the tongue and slit connection already described. In this construction it may be desired to weaken the wrapper transversely at its center in a plane between the adjacent flller units. For this purpose the wrapper may be scored, perforated or other wise treated as at 30 to facilitate severing of the wrapper in the desired plane.- The line of weakness thus produced extends desirably from edge to edge of the wrapper so as to include the covers as well as the sides and bottom thereof. In use, the wrapper may be severed through its cover region only, permitting one set of covers to be opened, as indicated in Fig. 5, or both sets of covers, if desired, while still retaining both filler units in position within the wrapper. By severing the wrapper further, however, it may be com-- pletely divided, whereupon the two filler units are separated from each other, although each remains locked within the portion of the wrapper which furnishes an enclosure for its several cells. In this manner two filler units may be placed in a sinle-wrapper of divisible character, the covers of the wrapper may be severed and one or both sets of covers then opened up so as to expose the contentsof one or both fillers, or the wrapper may be severed entirely to provide two filler packages, each one half the size and capacity of the original package.

The container may be of a form other than the wrapper which has been suggested. As shown in Fig. 6, a carton may be used for the reception of one, two or more filler units. In ordinary practice the carton would comprise a front wall 35 extending upwardly from one edge of a bottom 36 to the rear edge of which is connected a back wall 31 from which upstands a cover 38 having a depending flap 39. The front and rear walls may be connected by ends 40 as is common. As in the case of the wrapper heretofore described, locking tongues in may be provided for insertion through slits in the fillers. Although the carton provides a complete enclosure for the contained filler units, so that the use of locking tongues may not be necessary, it may be desirable, nevertheless, to incorporate this feature, particularly if the carton be provided with aweakened line of severance 4| extending transversely through its center whereby to facilitate division of the package into two half packages. In such event one filler unit remains in place within each half carton one end of which is open, as suggested in Fig. '7 In such circumstances the flller unit is prevented by the locking tongue from sliding endwise out throug the open end of the package.

A feature of advantage is the extreme simplicity, small cost, and ease of handling which characterizes the present flller package. The blank strips may be packaged flat, then set up speedily by hand, and once erected will remain so without further attention. If desired, the erected fillers may be folded down flat, the same as the wrappers or other containers which are used, and the operation of assembling the one with the other involves the expenditure of but little time and eflort. when combined, the wrapper sides remain locked to those of the filler,

permitting the covers '--to be swung clear back without disassembly of one unit with respect to the other. And finally, by reason of severability provided for a container enclosing two or more filler units, it is possible to open up all or but part of the covers so as to expose less than the entire number of filler cells, and also possible to sever the completed package withal maintaining an interlock between each filler unit and its surrounding enclosure.

I claim: v v

1. An elongated one-piece filler produced from a slotted strip which is transversely bent to provide in order (1) a longitudinally exte di tral partition, (2) a half cross partition extendlng transversely from one end of the central partion, (3) an outer cell wall extending back parallel with the central partition, (4) a full cross partition extending parallel with the half cross partition past the central partition with which it is interlocked, (5). a second outer cell wall on the side of the central partition which is opposite the first cell wall, and (6) a second half cross partition which laps a portion of the first halt partition and is interlocked with the central partition, the portion of the central partition extending away from the full cross partitions being similarly bent to provide other like full and half cross partitions and outer cell walls, and the two full cross partitions being so spaced as to provide between them other cells bordered on three sides only, all the cells being disposed in two adjacent rows.

2. An elongated one-piece filler produced from a strip which is transversely scored and slotted to provide a longitudinally extending central partition intersected by cross partitions at equal distances apart, two of the adjacent cross partitions forming a group connected by walls remote from the central partition and parallel therewith to provide a pair of four-sided enclosures and the cross walls in adjacent groups providing between them a pair of. three-sided enclosures open opposite the central partition, the several enclosures defining cells all of which are disposed in two adjacent rows.

3. An elongated one-piece filler produced from a slotted strip which is transversely bent to provide a longitudinally extending central partition intersected by cross partitions interlocked with the central partition and interconnected in groups to define a plurality of cells, each end of the strip forming one-half of the end cross partition and having interlocked engagement with the central partition, all of the cells being disposed in two adjacent rows.

4. In combination, a filler having transverse partitions and outside walls with slots therein,

and an open-ended enclosure for the filler provided with integral locking means extended through the wall slots of the filler for edge engagement with a transverse partition thereof.

JOSEPH L. COYLE. 

